Incredible India

When you live in a nation like India -- with its vast landmass, varied people and ancient history -- it's quite possible that there are many things you may not know about her.
In this series, we hope to satisfy your curiosity with interesting nuggets of information about India.

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Navratna stones and gold
embroidery – The Chennai Silks
used all that and more to weave the 'Vivaah Patu', the most expensive Indian silk
sari in the world sold at Rs. 3,931,627, and entered the Guinness World Records in
2008.

The exceptionally stunning saree Named
'Vivaah Patu' is meticulously woven with 12 precious stones and metals to
depict 11 of Raja Ravi Verma's popular paintings and it was designed by the
director of Chennai Silks, Sivalingam.

"The silk sari is made up of
Navratna stones like diamond, emerald, ruby, yellow sapphire, sapphire, topaz,
pearl, cat's eye and coral. It also has embroidered in metals such as gold,
platinum and silver,"

Explicitly projected is 'Lady
Musicians' Besides, the border of the saree pictures 10 other paintings of the
artist that pays tribute to 20th century artist. The best part of the saree
being that the women in the paintings are intricately hand-woven and beautified
with jewels.

The sari was hand woven using
double warp by 36 workers at Chennai Silks mill in Kancheepuram. It weighs 8kg
and was completed in 12 months

Chennai Silks completed the first
such sari Nov 26, 2007 and sold for a record 3,931,627 rupees ($100,021;
£50,679) on 5 January 2008 to a Bangalore-based businessman, who bought the
sari on the occasion of his 10th wedding anniversary.

A year later, a Kuwait-based
businessman approached them for Vivaah Patu, which he bought for Rs.40 lakh.
The sari was produced using 7,440 jacquard hooks used for interlacing design
and 66,700 cards used for punching design with the help of CAD software.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

As you all know, the maker of India's Ambassador
car has suspended production, citing debt and lack of demand for the
iconic vehicle which came to define the country's political class.

The good old
Hindustan Ambassador car was voted as the world’s best taxi in the
Beaulieu’s World of Top Gear, a global automotive programme aired on the
BBC in 2013. The Top Gear-organised show saw India’s Amby beat its competitors from all over the world.

The Hindustan Ambassador was a car manufactured by Hindustan Motors of India. It has been in production since 1958 with few improvements or changes and is based on the Morris Oxford III model, first made by the Morris Motors Limited at Cowley, Oxford in the United Kingdom from 1956 to 1959. Despite its British origins, the Ambassador is considered as a
definitive Indian car and is fondly called "The grand old lady of Indian
roads". Some prominent Indian politicians, such as Sonia Gandhi, use the Hindustan Ambassador. It reigned the Indian roads till the arrival of the Maruti in the 1980s and later the other global competitors.

Though on a steady
decline (only 3,390 units sold in 2012-13), it continued to be the
favourite of taxi operators and government officials.

I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Kulkarni family has been featured in Limca Book of Records since the inception as the tallest couple with a combined height of 4.09 m. They are now hoping to set a new world record with their combined height. Sharad Kulkarni, 52, stands at 7ft 1.5-inch tall and his wife Sanjot, 46, is 6ft 2.6-inches tall. Their daughters, 22-year-old Mruga and 16-year-old Sanya, are 6ft 1inch and 6ft 4inches respectively. The four-member family's combined height is a staggering 26ft.

The couple married in December 1988. A year later Limca Book of Records pronounced them India’s tallest married couple. They had hoped to be named the world's tallest couple by the Guinness Book of Records, until it emerged that Wayne and Laurie Hallquist, from Stockton, California, stand a combined inch taller at 13ft 4 inches. Guinness Book of Records does not currently have a tallest family category but would consider it.

The Kulkarnis have wardrobes full of custom-made clothes and shoes. Their house has been adapted to meet their needs - they had to change all the door frames from 6ft to 8ft high. They have customized their furniture including beds, wardrobes, kitchen shelves, and even the height of the toilet.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hotel The Grand Dragon Ladakh, the only Star Luxury hotel in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir is the world’s highest hotel. It is situated at 11300 ft. The hotel is owned and operated by Abdu family from Leh. Mr. Din Mohammed spearheads the business and, is ably assisted by his two sons, Gulam Mustafa and Ghulam Mohiuddin. The hotel showcases the traditional and ethnic architectural values of the region with a view to boost tourist inflow. It is fully equipped with modern facilities like heating system, running hot water and cold water systems even in extreme weather conditions. Today Grand Dragon is visited by dignitaries, diplomats, VVIPs and celebrities throughout the year.

I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Movie Indra Sabha released in 1932, the very next year after Alam Ara (first Indian talkie), holds the world record for having most no. of songs in any musical ever made. It featured 71 songs. The singers were Master Nissar and Kajjan. The movie was based on a play was released by Madan Theatre in 1932. I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources

Friday, September 6, 2013

Hero Cycles Limited, based in Ludhiana Punjab, India, is a
manufacturer of bicycles and bicycle related products. Hero Cycles Ltd (HCL),
established in 1956, became the largest bicycle manufacturer in the country in
1975. The Hero Group company went on to become the world’s No 1 in 1986.

The four Munjal brothers, namely, Satyanand Munjal, Om
Prakash Munjal. Late Dayanand Munjal and Late Raman Kant Munjal , hailed from a
small town called Kamalia, now in Pakistan, established the Hero group. The
brothers first established a business of bicycle spare parts in the year 1944
in Amritsar. After partition and independence of India, the brothers moved to
Ludhiana and started a bicycle unit called Hero Cycles in 1956. From a modest
beginning of mere 639 bicycles in the year 1956, Hero Cycles products over
18500 cycles a day today, the highest in global reckoning.

With the 48% share of the Indian market, this volume has
catapulted Hero in the ‘Guinness Books of World Records’ in 1986 and edge over
global players is being maintained since then. The company has already put over
13.5 crore bicycles on road.

Hero Group Management style has been acclaimed
internationally by World Bank and BBC, UK. Hero Group is discussed as a case
study at London Business School, UK and INSEAD, France. World Bank has
acclaimed Hero Cycles as a role model in vendor development based on a
world-wide study. The London Business School, UK, has done a case study on the
Group as model of entrepreneurship.

It is indeed “Hero of the World”.

I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Saffronis a spice derived from the flower ofCrocus sativus, commonly known as thesaffron crocus and is considered to be the
most expensive spice of the world.

Saffron has been
cultivated for more than 3,000 years for its unique flavor and strong coloring
power. The expensive spice can have a bright orange-yellow color with a
distinct scent, and is sold in either powder form, but deep red filaments are
preferable to avoid adulteration. More than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding
compounds are in Saffron, which has been used as a medicine and aphrodisiac in
previous times. It is also used as aromatic in baths, perfumes and dyes.

It's not the flavor nor
any health benefits associated with the reddish-yellow spice, which has made it
the most expensive spice in the world. Rather, its the cultivation process.

It has been estimated
that approximately one acre of purple crocuses, the flower from which saffron
threads are harvested, will yield only one pound of saffron. This is because
each crocus flower only produces 3 threads of saffron. About 14,000 threads
(actually the dried stigmas of the crocus flower) equals one ounce of saffron,
so that should give you an idea of the labor intensive process that goes into
harvesting saffron threads.

Saffron is produced in
countries such as Greece, Spain, Turkey, Iran, India and Morocco, and then sold
in different grades by color, taste and fragrance.

Kashmir is considered
one of the three prominent cultivating places of saffron all over the world.
Kashmiri saffron is seen as the legend of the saffron species where it has been
grown in the fields of Pampore near Srinagar for close to 2500 years. Kashmiri
saffron is recognisable by its dark maroon-purple hue; it is among the world's
darkest, which hints at strong flavour, aroma, and colourative effect. There
are three grades of saffron available in Indian market and they are known as
Saffron Lachha, saffron Mongra and saffron Zarda. While Iran accounts for about
70% of total world production, the quality of the Kashmiri saffron is
considered the best and the finest.

I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources

Sunday, August 11, 2013

TheRepublic of Indiahas several officialnational symbolsincluding a flag, an emblem, an anthem, a calendar as well as several other symbols. All the symbols were picked up at various times. The design of the national flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly just before independence, on July 22, 1947.There are also several other symbols including the national animal, bird, flower and tree.

These symbols are intrinsic to the Indian identity and heritage. Indians of all demographics backgrounds across the world are proud of these National Symbols as they infuse a sense of pride and patriotism in every Indian's heart.

National Flag -

The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel which repre sents the chakra.

The top saffron color, indicates the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The green shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.

Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947, when it became the official flag of theDominion of India.It served as thenational flagof theDominion of Indiabetween 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950, and has served as the flag of theRepublic of Indiasince then

Jana Gana Manais thenational anthemofIndia. Written in Bengali, it is the first of five stanzas of aBrahmohymncomposed and scored byNobel laureateRabindranath Tagore. It was first sung inCalcuttaSession of theIndian National Congresson 27 December 1911."Jana Gana Mana" was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on 24 January 1950. 27 December 2011 marked the completion of 100 years of Jana Gana Mana since it was sung for the first time.

The original poem written by Rabindranath Tagore was translated into Hindi by Abid Ali. The original Hindi version of the song Jana Gana Mana, translated by Ali and based on the poem by Tagore, was a little different. It was "Sukh Chain Ki Barkha Barase, Bharat Bhagya Hai Jaga....".

A formal rendition of the national anthem takes fifty-two seconds. A shortened version consisting of the first and last lines (and taking about 20 seconds to play) is also staged occasionally.

National Song -

The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with Jana-gana-mana. On January 24, 1950, the President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad came up with a statement in the Constituent Assembly, "the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it."

The first political occasion when it was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. The song was a part of Bankimchandra's most famous novel Anand Math (1882).

State Emblem -

The emblem of India is an adaptation of theSarnathLion Capital of Ashoka.It was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26 January 1950, the day thatIndia became a republic.Theemblemforms a part of the official letterhead of theGovernment of India, and appears on all Indiancurrencyas well. It also sometimes functions as thenational emblemof India in many places and appears prominently on the diplomatic and nationalPassportof theRepublic of India. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the center of theNational Flag of India.

The state emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. In the original, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the Capital is crowned by the Wheel of the Law (Dharma Chakra).

Satyameva Jayate is aHindumantra from the ancient scriptureMundaka Upanishad.Upon independence ofIndia, it was adopted as thenational mottoof India.It is inscribed inDevanagariscript at the base of the national emblem. The emblem and words 'Satyameva Jayate' are inscribed on one side of all Indian currency. The emblem is an adaptation of theLion Capital of Asokawhich was erected around 250 BCE atSarnath, nearVaranasiin the north Indian state ofUttar Pradesh, but does not contain the motto. The origin of the motto is a well-knownmantra3.1.6 from theMundaka UpanishadThe mantra is as follows:

Truthalone triumphs; notfalsehood.Through truth the divine path is spread outby which the sages whose desires have been completely fulfilled, reachwhere that supreme treasure of Truth resides

Indian national calendar -

TheIndian national calendar(sometimes calledSaka calendar) is the official civil calendar in use inIndia. It is used, alongside theGregorian calendar, byThe Gazette of India, news broadcasts byAll India Radio, and calendars and communications issued by theGovernment of India. The term may also ambiguously refer to theHindu calendar, and theSaka erais commonly used by different calendars as well.

The calendar was introduced by the Calendar Reform Committee in 1957, as part of the Indian Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, which also contained other astronomical data, as well as timings and formulae for preparingHindu religious calendars, in an attempt to harmonise this practice. Despite this effort, local variations based on older sources such as theSurya Siddhantamay still exist. Usage officially started at Chaitra 1, 1879 Saka Era, or March 22, 1957.

Calendar Structure

Month (Sanskrit)

Length

Start date (Gregorian)

Tropical Zodiac

1

Chaitra

30/31

March 22*

Aries

2

Vaishākha

31

April 21

Taurus

3

Jyaishtha

31

May 22

Gemini

4

Āshādha

31

June 22

Cancer

5

Shrāvana

31

July 23

Leo

6

Bhādrapada

31

August 23

Virgo

7

Āshwin

30

September 23

Libra

8

Kārtika

30

October 23

Scorpio

9

Agrahayana

30

November 22

Sagitarius

10

Pausha

30

December 22

Capricorn

11

Māgha

30

January 21

Aquarius

12

Phālguna

30

February 20

Pisces

National Language –

Neither the Constitution of India nor Indian law specifies a National language. India specifiesHindiandEnglishas official languages of the India de jure. Article 343 of the constitution specifies that the official language of the India is Hindi inDevanagariscript. Article 354 states that a state of India may officially adopt one or morelanguagesin use in the state or Hindi/English as the language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that state.Section 8 of The Official Languages Act of 1963 (as amended in 1967) empowers the Union Government to make rules regarding the languages which may be used for the Official purposes of the Union, for transaction of business in Parliament, and for communication between the Union Government and the states.Section 3 of G.S.R. 1053, titled "Rules, 1976 (As Amended, 1987)" specifies that communications from a Central (Union) Government office to a State or a Union Territory in shall, save in exceptional cases (Region "A") or shall ordinarily (Region "B"), be in Hindi, and if any communication is issued to any of them in English it shall be accompanied by a Hindi translation thereof. Section 3 of G.S.R. 1053, titled "Rules, 1976 states Communications from a Central Government office to State or Union Territory in Region "C" or to any office (not being a Central Government office) or person in such State shall be in English. Region C (South India) covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala , Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

National Flower -

Lotus (Nelumbo Nucipera Gaertn) is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.

India is rich in flora. Currently available data place India in the tenth position in the world and fourth in Asia in plant diversity. From about 70 per cent geographical area surveyed so far, 47,000 species of plants have been described by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

National Fruit -

Mango is thenational fruitofIndia,Philippinesand Pakistan. It finds mention in the songs of 4th century CESanskritpoet,Kalidasa, prior to it is believed to have been tasted by Alexander(3rd century BCE) and Chinese pilgrim,Hieun Tsang(7th century CE). Later in 16th centuryMughal Emperor,Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees inDarbhanga,Biharat a place now known asLakhi BaghIn Hinduism, the perfectly ripe mango is often held by LordGaneshaas a symbol of attainment, regarding the devotees potential perfection. Mango blossoms are also used in the worship of the goddessSaraswati. Mango leaves are used to decorate archways and doors in Indian houses and during weddings and celebrations likeGanesh Chaturthi. In Tamil Nadu, Mango is considered, along with Banana and jack fruit, as the Three royal fruits (Mukkani).

National Bird -

The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, the National Bird of India, is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fan-shaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck. The male of the species is more colourful than the female, with a glistening blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze-green tail of around 200 elongated feathers. The female is brownish, slightly smaller than the male and lacks the tail. The elaborate courtship dance of the male, fanning out the tail and preening its feathers is a gorgeous sight.

Peacock has been used in numerous iconic representations, including being designated thenational birdof India in 1963.The peacock, known asMayurainSanskrit, has enjoyed a fabled place in India since and is frequently depicted in temple art, mythology, poetry, folk-music and traditions.Many Hindu deities are associated with the bird,Krishnais often depicted with a feather in his headband, while worshippers ofShivaassociate the bird as the steed of the God of war,Karthikeya(also known as Skanda or Murugan). In Buddhist philosophy, the peacock represents wisdom.Peacock feathers are used in many rituals and ornamentation. Peacock motifs are widespread in Indian temple architecture, old coinage, textiles and continue to be used in many modern items of art and utility

National Animal -

The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris is a striped animal. It has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place as the national animal of India. Out of eight races of the species known, the Indian race, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is found throughout the country except in the north-western region and also in the neighboring countries, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. To check the dwindling population of tigers in India, 'Project Tiger' was launched in April 1973. So far, 27 tiger reserves have been established in the country under this project, covering an area of 37,761 sq km.

The Bengal tiger has been a national symbol of India since about the25th century BCEwhen it was displayed on thePashupati sealof the Indus Valley Civilisation. On the seal, the tiger, being the largest, represents the Yogi Shiva's people.

National Aquatic Animal -

Ganges River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India. This animal was given this title as it represents the purity of the Ganges as this mammal only survives in pure and fresh water. They are locally known as susu, due to the sound which is made while breathing. It is critically endangered in India and has been included in the Schedule I for the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The main reasons for the decrease in its population are poaching and habitat degradation and construction of barrages resulting in physical barrier for this species.

National Heritage Animal -

Asian elephant is the National Heritage Animal of India. This status was given to this animal due to the decline in its polulation. The Environment and Forest Ministry recommended to give this title to this species and the Elephant Task Force was approved by the standing committee of National Board of Wildlife on October 13 2010. There are over 25,000 elephants in the country, including 3,500 in zoos and temples-- specially in Kerala and north-eastern parts of India.

National River -

In November 2008, the Ganges, alone among India's rivers, was declared a "National River", facilitating the formation of a Ganga River Basin Authority that would have greater powers to plan, implement and monitor measures aimed at protecting the river.

The Ganges or Ganga, is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. By discharge it ranks among the world's top 20 rivers. The Ganges is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs. It is worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism.

National Game -

Hockey is the national sport of India. The Indian men's hockey team is the most successful hockey team in Olympic history with 8 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Indian hockey's golden era was from 1928-1956, when the Indian hockey team successively won six Olympic gold medals.

National Tree -

Banyan, or Ficus benghalensis, is the national tree of India. Ficus benghalensis produces propagating roots which grow downwards as aerial roots. Once these roots reach the ground, they grow into woody trunks that can become indistinguishable from the main trunk. This tree is considered sacred in India, and often shelters a little or larger temple underneath. Even today, most village council meets under this tree.

National Currency Symbol -

The symbol of Indian Rupee signifies India's international identity for money transactions and economic strength. The Indian Rupee sign is an allegory of Indian ethos. The symbol is an amalgam of Devanagari "Ra" and the Roman Capital "R" with two parallel horizontal stripes running at the top representing the national flag and also the "equal to" sign. The Indian Rupee sign was adopted by the Government of India on 15th July, 2010.

The symbol, conceptualised and designed by Udaya Kumar, a post graduate in Design from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, has been chosen from thousands of concept entries received by the Ministry of Finance through an open competition among resident Indian nationals. The process of establishing and implementing this new identity is underway through various digital technology and computer applications

I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources